10 ways to spend the day in The Pearl’s Qanat Quartier!

The Pearl-Qatar is great for walking around, a little shopping, eating at nice restaurants and sipping good coffee. Most times, this usually ends up being at the familiar Porto Arabia! But really, there’s so much more to explore! Another popular place is Medina Centrale, but have you checked out Qanat Quartier (QQ) lately? ILQ has done it for you – we went exploring over at QQ to look for the most exciting things to do in this Venetian-inspired neighbourhood!

Qanat Quartier, in case you didn’t know, is on the left-hand side as you enter The Pearl. It looks like a part of Venice beamed to Qatar with its colourful townhouses and canals throughout. Surely, it’s not the first project reminiscent of Venice in Doha – there’s also Villaggio Mall, but QQ is open-air and totally up-and-coming! You’ve probably seen it in its different phases of development over the last couple of years, but now it’s already become a lively place where people come to spend their days and evenings. We found some top 10 things you can do on your next visit to this lively Pearl neighbourhood!

Escape to the Beach

(Photo credit:Talimare Beach Lounge)

The Lido Venezia Beach is fantastic for families! It was awarded as Qatar’s cleanest beach last year and lives up to the hype. Now, the first public beach club opened here called TaliaMare,where you can kick back, enjoy light food, cool drinks and, of course, the beach! Start working on your tan now and run your feet through the soft sand.

Try a little Volume

(Photo credit:Volume Café)

Volume is one of the new hotspots for coffee-lovers! This quirky new café is located next to the ‘Rialto’ bridge and serves fantastic coffee and cake creations. Think Spanish lattés, saffron iced coffee, chocolaty tiramisu, and a divine rose cake. Make sure to snag a reservation or you’ll be faced with a waiting list!

Shop for eco-friendly watches and accessories

(Photo credit:Nobbanolla)

A new shop in QQ is Nobbanolla, which sells wooden glasses, watches, and many other things. Apart from making great gifts, the items are also made eco-friendly. Nobbanolla feels they have a social responsibility and have made their commitment to the health of our planet their inspiration. Why not try something new and get a wooden watch with an eco-lux design!

Paint over a cup of coffee

(Photo credit:Artist Café)

New innovations are all around! Walking towards the end of QQ, you’ll stumble upon the Artist Café! Spend your afternoon with a little self-care, painting and having a snack or tea whenever you want. People even meet up with their friends to paint together. Who doesn’t need a bit of art therapy?

Centre yourself with some yoga

(Photo credit:Niya Yoga)

When you need more than art therapy and need to let your body flow, try Niya Yoga. Although a little pricier, there are so many different yoga classes tailored to your needs. Unwind or push the limits of your body in these energizing classes!

Eat contemporary Moroccan

(Photo credit:Mssamen & Atai Instagram)

At Mssamen & Atai, you’ll indulge in contemporary dishes with a Moroccan twist. It’s got the nostalgia of traditional Moroccan dishes like tajine and couscous, while embracing modern trends in nouvelle cuisine. This restaurant is the perfect stop for an evening taste-splurge.

Have a pretzel

(Photo credit:Pretzelmaker Qatar)

If you’re walking around, exploring QQ and maybe getting lost in the comic-book store, you might find yourself in need of a snack. Grab a pretzel on your way to the beach. At the Pretzelmaker, pretzels and dough-balls are all freshly-made and even come with fillings! It’s almost a whole meal in itself!

Unwind at the spa

(Photo credit:Diva Lounge Spa)

On the search for relaxation, you might also stumble across the Diva Lounge Spa. A place for women to receive a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, Diva Lounge is where soul meets body. Special therapists are here to assist you in balancing your body and calming the mind!

Spice it up with some Mexican food

(Photo credit:Viva Mexico by Mr.Taco)

An opening we were all excited about was Viva Mexico by Mr. Taco! Finally, residents of Doha can find authentic Mexican food! The new restaurant, as well as Mr. Taco, was opened by a Mexican expat and his wife, and offers delicious flavours such as nachos, tamales, burritos, and tacos. The corn tortillas and churros are - of course – homemade!

Have a Turkish snack

(Photo credit:Yufkachi Turkish Patisserie and Coffee Shop)

If you’re feeling peckish and don’t want to opt for the usual crêpe, waffle, or sandwich, try Yufkachi, a Turkish Patisserie and Coffee Shop. Homemade teas and coffees await you here, while the baked goods are fresh and fluffy! If you haven’t had Turkish pastries, you’ve got to try them now!

Now that we’ve reviewed some exciting new destinations in The Pearl-Qatar’s Qanat Quartier, which one are you going to try next?

Have we missed an amazing new café, restaurant, or shop? Do you think Qanat Quartier will soon be the go-to place on The Pearl?Let us know what you think in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to give us a like and a share – you know it keeps us going!